Freight Shipping from Burlington to Philadelphia
Ship freight from Burlington, VT to Philadelphia, PA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $918-$1,132, LTL from $435-$763. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
427 mi
Drive Time
8 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$918-$1,132
LTL Rate Est.
$435-$763
Burlington to Philadelphia Freight Corridor
Burlington is an unlikely freight hub — but GlobalFoundries' semiconductor fab in Essex Junction is the largest private employer in Vermont, producing advanced chips that ship worldwide in climate-controlled, high-security trailers. Ben & Jerry's and Keurig Dr Pepper operate major production facilities in nearby Waterbury, creating consistent reefer and dry van demand. Vermont's geographic isolation from major interstates means carriers command premium rates for serving this market.
Philadelphia commands the Delaware River waterfront with PhilaPort, the fastest-growing port on the East Coast and the nation's top import point for fresh fruit, cocoa beans, and forest products. The metro's pharmaceutical corridor — stretching from the Navy Yard to the western suburbs — houses major operations from GSK, AstraZeneca, and dozens of biotech firms generating high-value temperature-controlled freight. The I-95/I-76/New Jersey Turnpike interchange makes Philadelphia the Northeast's critical freight chokepoint.
The Burlington-to-Philadelphia corridor spans 427 miles via I-89, US-7, I-95, I-76. This lane connects semiconductor manufacturing and specialty food & beverage freight from the Burlington market to pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining demand in Philadelphia. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Burlington
Burlington's economy is driven by semiconductor manufacturing, specialty food & beverage, healthcare, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
semiconductors (GlobalFoundries)
craft beer & spirits
maple syrup
ice cream (Ben & Jerry's)
specialty cheese
precision instruments
What Philadelphia Receives
Philadelphia's pharmaceuticals & biotech, petroleum refining, food processing sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Burlington.
crude oil
containerized imports
cocoa beans & sugar
vehicles
steel & metals
produce (Latin America)
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Burlington and Philadelphia, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$918-$1,132 estimated for this lane
Refrigerated (Reefer)
Required for temperature-sensitive freight including fresh produce, dairy, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Maintains precise temperature control throughout transit.
$1,132-$1,430 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$1,217-$1,559 estimated for this lane
Tanker / Hazmat
Specialized equipment for liquid chemicals, petroleum products, and hazardous materials. Requires hazmat-endorsed drivers and placarding compliance.
$1,345-$1,815 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Burlington to Philadelphia lane (427 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $918-$1,132 | 8 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $435-$763 | 10-12 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $1,388-$1,922 | 5 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Burlington and Philadelphia that drive volume on this lane.
GlobalFoundries (Essex Junction fab)
Ben & Jerry's (Waterbury)
Keurig Dr Pepper (Waterbury)
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES)
Comcast (HQ)
Campbell Soup (Camden)
Shipping Tips for Burlington to Philadelphia
Burlington Seasonal Advisory
Maple syrup season (March-April) creates a brief but intense shipping surge. Ben & Jerry's reefer demand peaks ahead of summer. Heating oil deliveries dominate inbound freight October through April. GlobalFoundries runs 24/7 year-round with steady output.
Philadelphia Seasonal Advisory
Fresh fruit imports peak January through April (Chilean fruit season). Pharmaceutical shipments maintain steady year-round volume with slight spikes during flu vaccine distribution (August-October). Holiday retail import surge hits September through November.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 427 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Burlington to Philadelphia Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Burlington to Philadelphia?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Burlington, VT to Philadelphia, PA currently range from $918-$1,132 for a standard dry van load over the 427-mile route. LTL shipments typically cost $435-$763 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Request a custom quote for exact pricing based on your specific shipment details.
How long does freight take from Burlington to Philadelphia?
Standard FTL transit from Burlington to Philadelphia is approximately 8 hrs by truck over 427 miles. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%.
What equipment do I need for Burlington to Philadelphia freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Burlington commonly ships semiconductors (GlobalFoundries), craft beer & spirits, maple syrup, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. Philadelphia commonly receives crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from Philadelphia to Burlington?
Yes. Philadelphia is a strong outbound market shipping refined petroleum, pharmaceuticals, processed foods. Carriers returning from Philadelphia to Burlington can pick up backhaul loads, which often means competitive rates on the Burlington-to-Philadelphia lane since carriers factor in round-trip economics.
What commodities move from Burlington to Philadelphia?
The Burlington-to-Philadelphia corridor handles a diverse freight mix. Burlington's top outbound commodities include semiconductors (GlobalFoundries), craft beer & spirits, maple syrup, ice cream (Ben & Jerry's), specialty cheese, precision instruments. Philadelphia's primary inbound freight includes crude oil, containerized imports, cocoa beans & sugar, vehicles, steel & metals, produce (Latin America). Industries driving this lane include semiconductor manufacturing and specialty food & beverage from Burlington and pharmaceuticals & biotech and petroleum refining in Philadelphia.
Get Exact Rates for Burlington to Philadelphia
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